Yesterday I found left-overs from the holidays, including two bags of popcorn. . . .a bag of those huge marshmallows. . . .(what DO you do with those?). . . .and a half bag of red vanilla candy chips. . . .I had the makings of something for John's sweet tooth! . . .perfectly coordinated with the red and white February décor. . . .But, February is almost over, you say? . . .All the more reason to use them up.

I found the recipe on Pinterest. . . .It's basically the one we've all used for Rice Crispie Treats. . . .In the past, I've added a lot more ingredients to it--nuts, chocolate chips, M & M's, Rice Crispies, candy corn--whatever I had on hand. . . .I call it Popcorn Hash when I add a number of items together. . . .But, all I had on hand were the three left-overs. . . .They became Mini Popcorn Balls to POP in your mouth. (There's that word POP again!). . . .Takes no time to whip up a batch using the microwave.

Melt butter in a Pyrex bowl in the microwave. Add marshmallows--salt and vanilla if desired. Continue to melt in the microwave, stopping to stir every 10-15 seconds. Heat until all is melted and combined well. (Total time in my microwave about one minute)

Spread popcorn on a pan or cookie sheet that has been lightly buttered. Pour the marshmallow mixture on top and toss with wooden spoons. Add vanilla chips last and mix. (Chips are added last so that they don't melt in the hot marshmellow mixture)

Shape into mini or large balls with well-buttered hands.

For Popcorn Hash: Before pouring marshmallow mixture, add to the popcorn your choice of nuts, candied fruit, Oreo cookie pieces, tiny marshmallows, anything you choose that will not melt. Pour warm marshmallow mixture over the top and lightly toss with wooden spoons. Then add the candies and chips. Toss again. When cool, break up into bite size pieces and store in a sealed container.

I'll make another batch for SUNDAY's indoor picnic. . . .

(See where the redwork comes in?)

This time it will be 'Hash' and filled with all sorts of goodies,

which means a visit to the grocery store. . . .ugh. . . .

maybe I'll send John. . . .because. . . .

I was hoping there would be a few mini popcorn balls left for the weekend. . . .

Not a chance. . . .Mr. Sweet Tooth has discovered them!
I can see now. . . .

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

I had a beautiful post planned last week for Valentine's Day. . . .then. . . .Life Happened.
Seems as if life is happening a lot more frequently to us these last couple of years, now that I think about it. . . .The one thing we can all depend on is that Life WILL change, at times in a matter of hours.

I know many of you are animal lovers, just as we are. . . .It's always difficult when we lose one of them. . . .One of John's feline shop pals, Mr. Smokey, became suddenly ill last week. . . .For two days, it looked as if it was a minor problem. . . .Then early Friday, he took a turn for the worse. . . .within a few hours he was gone in spite of anything we or the vet could do. . . .As it turned out, it was a genetic disorder that often goes undetected. . . .with no known cure. . . .John's always maintained that Mr. Smokey and Little Bit were 'just shop cats'. . . .He wouldn't get attached. . . .Famous last words. . . .He was a wreck.

At the same time, my Boo (Mr. Velcro--he sticks to me) was also in the hospital fighting off another Addison's crisis. . . .Little Bit (Smokey's sis) was alive and well, yet she seemed to know Mr. Smokey was gone the minute it happened. . . .For three days she hid from us. . . .wouldn't eat. . . .grieving. . . .As if this wasn't enough, we had an out-of-town emergency. . . .Our world was topsy-turvey for a while. . . .

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

I knew the minute I opened my eyes that morning I was in for an adventure. . . .It was one of those things that you just know and spend the day in anticipation until the surprise is revealed.

It was a sunny but cold Christmas afternoon as we strolled the streets of Colonial Williamsburg. . .with no special destination. . . .until we neared the Peyton Randolph home. . . .A little voice inside my head said, "This is it. . . .There's something special here for you to see."

Serene. . . .sunlight flooding through the window. . . .the room drew me in.Lagging behind the others, I found myself alone in the calm and quiet of the long abandoned laundry. . . .in another time and place. . . .where tubs and buckets are scrubbed and waiting to be filled once more. . . .

Where Light and Shadow literally danced around the room. . . .From the corner of my eye, I thought I saw someone move. . . .Ghosts of the past played with my senses. . . .

What was that? . . .Did someone whisper something behind me? . . .I turned to answer. . . .No one in the room but myself. . . .although I could swear I heard someone laugh as I shook my head in disbelief. . . .And there! . . .Was it another shadow. . . .or did something move by the fireplace? . . .I nervously giggled. . . .And who did I feel just now so close to me? . . .I stood very still for a time. . . .smiling from ear to ear. . . .feeling alone. . . .yet, not so alone. . . .The minutes ticked off. . . .the only sound I heard now was the click of the camera as I tried to capture these special moments. . . .alone in the past. . . .with only my imaginings. . . .or were they?

Way too soon, it was time to leave. . . .my active imagination had run rampant long enough. . . .Afterall, it had to have been my mind playing tricks on me, didn't it? . . .Others waited for me to rejoin them in the 21st century. . . .I stepped outside and started down the narrow path.Then. . . .on a whim. . . .I quickly glanced back through the door. . . .and stared--again--in disbelief. . . .